Since recent reports have shown that (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) could be used for treating proliferative and inflammatory disorders, we explored its use for the management of corneal chemical burns.
Materials and methods
Initially, EGCG was assayed on the rabbit corneal epithelial cell line RCE1(5T5) to establish the best testing conditions, and to avoid unwanted outcomes in the experimental animals. Then, we studied its effects on cell proliferation, cell cycle progression and cell differentiation. Afterwards, we instilled EGCG in experimental grade II corneal alkali burns in mice, three times a day up to 21 days, and evaluated by slit lamp examination and histological sections of corneal epithelial, corneal endothelial and stromal edema, as well as the presence of inflammatory cells and neovascularization.
Results
EGCG reduced cell growth and led to a decline in the proportion of proliferative cells in a concentration dependent manner. At 10 μM, EGCG promoted cell differentiation, an effect not related with apoptosis or cytotoxicity. When 10 μM EGCG was instilled in corneal alkali burns in mice three times a day up to 21 days, EGCG significantly reduced corneal opacity and neovascularization. The improved clinical appearance of the cornea was associated to a controlled epithelial growth; epithelial morphology was similar to that observed in normal epithelium and contrasted with the hyperproliferative, desquamating epithelium observed in control burn wounds. EGCG reduced corneal, stromal and endothelial edema, and wound inflammation.
Conclusion
This work constitutes the first evidence for the use of EGCG in the acute phase of a corneal alkali burn, representing a possible novel alternative to improve patient outcomes as an add-on therapy. 相似文献
ABSTRACTThis study closely examines 51 breast cancer narratives Latina and Spanish women wrote for other patients to illuminate how they conceptualize their health, with insights for addressing health disparities. Using discourse analysis of the role of language and culture in health care communication, this study focuses on the use of metaphors in the narratives. This provides revelations about the cultural and linguistic aspects of how the writers conceptualize their disease. Building on past research on metaphor use in cancer discourse in the English language, this study reveals the prevalence of metaphors comparing cancer to combat, or more generally, violence (e.g., “my battle against cancer”), or a journey (e.g., “my path with cancer”). Writers used this metaphorical language to offer advice to others with cancer and to mark their membership in a larger community of people with cancer. We also find that Spanish women use metaphors more frequently than Latinas and that they differed in their metaphorical portrayals of cancer. This research uncovers culturally embedded themes that are central to how women with cancer think about the disease, such as the prominence of spirituality in Latinas’ metaphorical constructions, a pattern not evident in Spanish women’s narratives. 相似文献
Robotic approaches have been steadily replacing laparoscopic approaches in metabolic and bariatric surgeries (MBS); however, their superiority has not been rigorously evaluated. The main goal of the study was to evaluate the 5-year utilization trends of robotic MBS and to compare to laparoscopic outcomes.
Methods
Retrospective analysis of 2015–2019 MBSAQIP data. Kruskal-Wallis test/Wilcoxon and Fisher’s exact/chi-square were used to compare continuous and categorical variables, respectively. Generalized linear models were used to compare surgery outcomes.
Results
The use of robotic MBS increased from 6.2% in 2015 to 13.5% in 2019 (N= 775,258). Robotic MBS patients had significantly higher age, BMI, and likelihood of 12 diseases compared to laparoscopic patients. After adjustment, robotic MBS patients showed higher 30-day interventions and 30-day readmissions alongside longer surgery time (26–38 min).
Conclusion
Robotic MBS shows higher intervention and readmission even after controlling for cofounding variables.
A patient with HIV infection developed the first episode of AIDS-defining opportunism (severe Candida albicans esophagitis) with an underlying CD4+ lymphocyte count of 1,025 cells/microL. After treatment with a highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), taken with insufficient compliance and leaving a residual viral load, our patient suffered from two relapses of esophageal candidiasis, which occurred three months and seven years later, when his CD4+ lymphocyte count was 930 and 439 cells/microL, respectively, and a viral load slightly above 10(4) copies/mL was still present. Also in the HAART era, Candida esophagitis remains one of the most common AIDS-defining diseases, but a presentation with a concurrent CD4+ count above 1,000 cells/microL remains a rare exception, as well as the two isolated, subsequent relapses, occurred with a CD4+ count ranging from 439 to 930 cells/microL, and a residual HIV viremia due to insufficient adherence to the prescribed HAART regimens. Our case report represents the opportunity to revisit the epidemiology and, especially, the pathogenesis of this opportunistic fungal complication in HIV-infected patients and in other subjects at risk, on the ground of an extensive literature review, and to explore possible alternative supporting factors other than the crude absolute CD4+ lymphocyte count, with emphasis on the possible role of a persisting HIV viremia, and other potential contributing factors. Clinicians engaged with immunocompromised patients and subjects with HIV disease, should be aware that a Candida esophagitis may occur and relapse also when the cell-mediated immunity, as measured by a simple CD4+ cell count, do not show relevant abnormalities. 相似文献
This paper presents the results of a study on the psychometric properties of an authorized Spanish version of the McMaster
Family Assessment Device, a self-report measure of family functioning. 相似文献
PurposeTo analyze the electroclinical features, aetiology and outcome in patients with normal neurological examination and psychomotor development who presented seizures during a mild gastroenteritis (MG).Patients and methodsEvaluation of the clinical charts of 22 patients who were assessed in the Neurology Department, Hospital Nacional de Pediatría Prof. Dr. JP Garrahan between 1999 and 2007.ResultsTwelve patients were boys and 10 were girls, the age of onset ranged from 5 to 26 months, and the median age was 10 months. Rotavirus antigen test in stool was positive in 9 of 18 studied patients. The seizures were brief, focal with secondary generalization in 15 patients (68.5%), apparently generalized in 5 (22.5%) and focal in two (9%). Seven of the patients (35%) had more than one seizure in 24 h. The interictal EEG was normal in all patients. Neuroradiological studies were performed in 19 patients with a normal result. No patient was put on long-term treatment with antiepileptic drugs. Four patients had subsequent mild gastroenteritis and two of them presented convulsions during the disease. After between 12 and 67 months of follow-up, all patients had normal psychomotor development and neurological examination.ConclusionsIn this study we confirmed the association of benign infantile seizures (BIS) and MG with or without rotavirus. The identification of this entity allows avoiding unnecessary complementary studies and treatment with antiepileptic drugs. 相似文献